RED-TAILED HAWK. 



PLATE XL VI II. U ED -TAILED HAWK. 



THIS species of the Hawk is common throughout the 

 United States, and may be found, during each season of 

 the year, in the Northern, Middle, Western, and Southern 

 States. They descend, in the winter season, in some 

 measure, from the higher latitudes to less severe climates, 

 and are very abundant in the Middle States. In the lower 

 parts of Pennsj^lvania and New Jersey, they are more 

 commonly to be seen during the autumn and winter, par- 

 ticularly in the regions of well-cultivated farms and exten- 

 sive meadows. It is one of the most daring and ravenous 

 of our birds of prey, and not particular as to the kind of 

 food to be devoured. It, however, derives its chief sup- 

 port from rabbits, quails, larks, and poultry ; and. in the 

 absence of these, rats, mice, and other vermin. Mr. Audi- 

 bon remarks : " I have seen this species pounce on soft- 

 shelled tortoises, and amusing enough it was to see the 

 latter scramble towards the water, enter it, and save them- 

 -selves from the claws of the Hawk by diving. I am not 

 aware that this Hawk is ever successful in these attacks, 

 as I have not on any occasion found any portion of the 

 skin, head, or feet of tortoises, in the stomachs of the many 

 Hawks of this species which I have killed and examined. 

 Several times, however, I have found portions of bull-frogs 

 in .their stomachs." 



In the autumn, when that interesting and vigilant guar- 

 dian, the king bird, has ceased its parental duties, and 

 taken its final leave for the southern climate, then it is, that 

 the Red-tailed Hawk may be seen prowling about farm- 

 houses, to the terror of the fowls, and consternation of the 

 country dames, whose lamentations at the loss of poultry, 



